Thursday, December 30, 2010

As many of you may know, Roma became very ill from her boarding stay while we were away over Thanksgiving. It's been four weeks, and just so you know, she is better. It was the road to recovery, particularly the week following, that was the worst.

Roma stayed at a local boarding facility in Houston. I won't go slander them publicly, but if you live in the Houston area and want to know who it is, feel free to email me. We had heard good things about them from people while socializing at the dog park, as well as local pet events. Our normal facility was full, so we had no choice but to find an alternate.

As for her stay, as far as we knew during our trip, she was doing just fine. I even called and they said she was doing great. Go figure that wasn't close to the truth. In fact, the day we picked her up she was reportedly sick...and lethargic. The night we got her home we noticed and we quickly called the facility. They said, "she was fine." We didn't find out until the next day that she was actually sick all day.

Five days followed, five visits to the vet. Multiple shots, blood tests, injections, and subcutaneous fluid injections...and more followed. You can see the "bump" on her back...that's the fluid they injected.

She definitely was not a happy pup all week. Nor were Deb and I happy parents. We were worried, concerned, and angry. We took a combined three days off of work and slept very little. It didn't help that we battled and battled with the boarding facility over vet bills and refunds. They became increasingly more in denial of doing anything wrong. Guess what, they were!!

The major thing they did wrong...they gave her her benadryl tablets (for her allergies) with HOT DOG pieces! Real hot dog! We have never given her table food and this was what caused her the pancreatitis symptoms and reactions. Roma is on a very high quality diet, good treats, nothing close to processed.

Our vet was wonderful...if you need a good vet, we whole heartedly recommend Claws and Paws in Pearland. Hands down, they were wonderful to Roma.

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Also, if you need a good local boarding facility (and day care), Rover Oaks continually is top notch. Our experience with their day care for the past 10 months has been wonderful. The multiple times she's been boarded there, including twice during December, they were great.

And lastly, to cheer Roma up, we pissed kitty off...put her in a silly hat. Thanks go out to Victoria on that one...still fun to put on her years later!

As of today, we have finally resolved the outstanding issues with the bad boarding facility. They will never see our business again and will never get a hint of a recommendation. They tried to be good about the vet bills...but they wouldn't even fully pay the last one. I urge you all with pets...research your boarding facilities carefully, I would never wish what Roma went through on anyone...

Thanks again for all the concern for Roma. She is doing well and is back to her normal, happy self. ﻿Chasing kitty, cuddling on the couch...being Roma.

A few weeks ago we played at Evergreen Point Golf in Baytown. First time playing there. It appears I'm starting to review the courses I play at, so why not continue. I can sum it up easily...it was relatively flat, well kept, and full of mosquitos! The course itself wasn't particularly hard...but somehow I managed to make it impossible! I played like crap throughout...why not throw myself under the bus and embrass myself...I screwed up 4 tee shots (as if I'd never swung a club before) in which I was taking my second shot from nearly the same spot!

Overall on the day I came in last...4th out of 4, with an awful round of...107. GASP!

I did have some nice shots...

The weather was nice, the leaves were changing...

Next up, Wildcat Golf Club over new years weekend...let's hope for a bounce back week...looking to drop that score by atleast 20 strokes!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

We are now heading home, said goodbye to Gracie. She definitely has lost weight but somehow I think she grew extra skin! Looking at her you think she's a pudge, but in reality she isn't...weighing in at a slim 14 lbs! I joked that if they made spanx for dogs, she'd be a great participant. Her shirt doesn't help her look... Overall we had a good trip seeing the family...but are excited to get back home to kitty and Roma! More pics to come...hope everyone had a great Christmas!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Well the weather dropped below freezing which meant Gracie put on her little shirt, which I probably bought her 8 years ago! Plus my mom, Deb and I played Scrabble last night...with Deb winning and instantly retiring from play as a winner. We've only played 4 games so far, so we will have to cram quite a few in these last few days. Deb made the word "jube" which I challenged. I lost as it surprisingly was a word!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Today we got out and went mini golfing...we had a 7-some, 8 if count TJ... Had lots of fun even with the cold and windy weather, as you can with the many layers my mom was sporting. Ces was cute putting...more like pushing the ball to the hole. As I was generous in my score keeping, she won by a long shot. :-) My brother and I even got holes in one. After playing I'm still not the best putter, so my upcoming new years round still has much riding on it! Later in the day my sis brought over her dogs, Ginger and Madison. Ginger is still such a lap dog, always vying for a lap to sit on. More later...

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Cesilie has really grown up since we were last here, which wasn't all that long ago. ...some of her favorite gifts came out of my brothers stocking including a harmonica! I kept saying hobos play harmonicas and she'd just laugh! Great times with our niece and nephew!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

We had a great time in Denver this past weekend...one of my highlights was building Legos with Madison. She is 9 and quite the Lego builder. I had a flashback to my youth building with her.

We were working on the new Lego space shuttle. Deb and I thought it was fitting for Christmas considering Deb's work and all. I thought it was perfect because when I got the original space shuttle years ago, it was awesome!

I know we have more pics from the weekend, will post soon. Including bottling and sampling Deb's dads beer creations.Things have been crazy for us lately...I'll be sure to fill you all in when some things get settled...